By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The New York State Department of Transportation released its long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on Interstate 81 last week. The 15,000-page document, which went public Monday, April 22, states that the DOT’s preferred option for replacing the deteriorating viaduct is a street-level community grid.
“Based on a balanced consideration of the need for safe and efficient transportation; the social, economic, and environmental effects of the project alternatives; and national, state, and local environmental protection goals, the Community Grid Alternative would be selected as the preferred alternative,” reads the executive summary of the report.
According to NYSDOT officials, the community grid plan will replace the 1.4-mile viaduct in the city of Syracuse with a “business loop” from the southern interchange at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. East (MLK, Jr. East, formerly East Castle Street) to the Interstate 690 interchange. The existing Interstate 481 will be re-designated as the new I-81 for through traffic.
The business loop, or “BL 81,” would follow Almond Street north to Erie Boulevard and along Erie Boulevard from Almond Street to Oswego Boulevard. Part of Pearl Street, between Erie Boulevard and the northbound Pearl Street on-ramp, and part of Oswego Boulevard, between Erie Boulevard and East Willow Street, would be included in BL 81 as well.
“It will get people where they need to go and we believe that it will relieve congestion and get rid of a lot of the bottlenecks,” Mark Frechette, NYSDOT director of planning and program management, said at a press conference April 24.
Northbound and southbound traffic will follow Almond Street, which will be converted to a boulevard with , and will be dispersed among Crouse Avenue, Irving Avenue, State Street and Townsend Street, while east-west traffic will be channeled through Erie Boulevard, Harrison Street and Adams Street.
“The reconstructed Almond Street would consist of two 12-foot-wide travel lanes in each direction, turning lanes at intersections (where needed), widened sidewalks, a landscaped median, and bicycle facilities,” the DEIS summary reads.
Interchanges for I-690 will be located at West Street, Crouse Avenue and Irving Avenue, and drivers will be able to access the northern BL 81 at Clinton Street, Oswego Boulevard and Pearl Street.
New entrance/exit ramps for the business loop will be constructed at East Willow Street, James Street and Erie Boulevard.
The DOT estimates construction will cost $1.9 billion and last five years. The state expects to file its record of decision in late 2020. Informational meetings have yet to be scheduled, and while the state report does not give a start date, the construction timeline has been broken into two phases.
Phase One, spanning about two years, begins with improvements to bring I-481 up to current 70 mph highway standards. Northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes will be added and exits will be given new numbers and signage. Phase One also includes removal of the viaduct and reconstruction of Almond and North Clinton streets, and Crouse and Irving avenues. Bridges at Butternut, Court, Spencer and Bear streets would be replaced as well.
Phase Two focuses on the reconstruction of I-690, starting with the eastbound lanes. Improvements to Almond Street would be completed during the second phase, which will wrap up with the northern section of I-81 at Clinton and Salina streets and improvements to the westbound Liverpool exits.
The idea of a tunnel has been “dismissed from further study” because of the $4.9 billion price tag and projected 11-year construction timeline. The “Orange Tunnel” would have funneled traffic under the Syracuse University Hill. In addition to the cost and length of construction, DOT officials said the tunnel would have required the acquisition of 17 properties.
Replacement of the viaduct was ruled out as well. The NYSDOT estimated replacing that structure would cost $2.2 billion and cause “unreasonable socioeconomic impacts,” displacing both residents and businesses. That plan would have eaten up 24 properties.
Frechette assured the public that there are no immediate safety concerns with the viaduct.
“It is safe now. If it wasn’t safe we would be dealing with those issues,” he said at the April 24 press conference. “We will continue to inspect that bridge. We will continue to do repairs if necessary.”
Local leaders react
Advocates for the community grid solution applauded the state’s recommendation. Assemblymember Pam Hunter said “the future of Syracuse is bright.”
“I came out in support of the community grid approach in February because it offers the greatest benefit for local stakeholders and could be implemented more quickly. It also minimizes private property seizure and puts property back on the tax rolls to strengthen our city’s tax base,” she said. “Regardless of which option you support, now is the time to put down our differences and work together to ensure the best possible outcome.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe commented in support of the grid as well.
“I have supported the community grid for some time because it’s the most affordable and least disruptive option, and the community grid has the most promise to spur growth in our city and our entire region. I’m glad the state DOT feels the same way. Now it’s time for us to come together and do the work necessary to make this transformative project a reality,” he said.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said he was “pleased” that the state’s preferred option is the community grid and encouraged his constituents to weigh in on the issue.
“The DEIS is the most comprehensive source for the facts and data our community needs to evaluate the project. My team and I will be closely reviewing the report in the days and weeks ahead, and the city will participate actively in the public engagement process to ensure that the needs and concerns of the people of the city of Syracuse and the entire region are considered by DOT. The more people engage, the better the outcome will be,” he said.
However, area business leaders expressed concerns. Viraj Patel, who operates the Country Inn and Suites in Liverpool, said rerouting traffic to the current I-481 would divert consumers from the numerous hotels and other businesses in the town of Salina and surrounding areas. Patel supports rebuilding the viaduct.
“Although [replacing the viaduct] costs $300 million more than the community grid alternative, the community grid would cost more than $300 million in negative economic impact to businesses, employees, schools, and communities located between Syracuse and North Syracuse,” he said.
Patel said rush hour traffic only accounts for a third of the total daily traffic on I-81 and noted that 40 percent of drivers are headed to or from downtown Syracuse.
“Even at its busiest, more travelers are heading to other locations that the community grid would not adequately serve. The city of Syracuse has 150,000 residents while Onondaga county has more than 460,000,” he said. We should choose the option that meets the needs of the majority of the greater Syracuse community. The community grid is not that option.”
Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group — which owns Destiny USA — said the mall’s owners have expressed their concerns to city, county and state officials.
“We are concerned about any solution that impacts Destiny USA’s ability to remain a regional draw,” he said. “Like many businesses, residents and community leaders who recognize the need for maintaining high-speed access through the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County, we are anxious to review the latest Draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the New York State Department of Transportation and participate in the determination and ultimate outcome of this transformational decision.”
While business owners expressed trepidation, local leaders are encouraging the community to cooperate. Congressman John Katko also urged grid opponents not to file a lawsuit, and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon stressed “mitigation over litigation” as well.
“As the county executive has said repeatedly, this is a decision that will have impacts across the county and region and it is critical that appropriate mitigation measures are also taken to minimize any potential negative impacts. We cannot allow a single decision to halt the momentum our community is experiencing,” said Justin Sayles, spokesperson for McMahon.
I-81: Read the report and comment
The New York State Department of Transportation’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement about Interstate 81 can be accessed online at dot.ny.gov/i81opportunities/repository.
You can also view the document in person at the two following locations:
• NYSDOT Region 3 Office: Sen. John H. Hughes State Office Building, 333 E. Washington St., Syracuse
• I-81 Information Center: The Carnegie Building, 335 Montgomery St., Syracuse
The state has yet to announce times and sites for informational meetings, a public hearing and the official 45-day comment period later this year. The state expects to file its record of decision in late 2020. Submit your comments about the plan:
• By mail: Mark Frechette, PE, Project Director New York State Department of Transportation, Region 3 333 E. Washington St. Syracuse, NY 13202
• Via email/website: i81opportunities.org
For more information, contact NYSDOT at 315-428-4351 or via the project’s toll-free hotline, 1-855-I81-TALK (855-481-8255).
